Mascots are images of animals or humans that are used to promote institutions, products or services. They are normally designed to generate discussion, passion, hatred and excitement for an audience or spectators in a particular event or occasion.

Here are 10 of the most popular NBA Mascots:

Clutch the Bear (Houston Rockets)

Clutch the Bear is Houston Rockets official mascot. Clutch was created in 1995 when the Houston Rockets won the NBA championship. Since then, Clutch became very popular ending up being named the 5th most recognizable mascot in sports by USA Today in 2005. The same year Clutch became the NBA Mascot of the year and later in 2006, he was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame.

Cayote Mascot (San Antonio Spurs)

Cayote is the official mascot of the San Antonio Spurs NBA Basketball team. The Cayote Mascot was signed in by the Spurs in 1983. He makes about 400 appearances each year in various games and engagements, entertaining fans and guests. He is the only mascot in the NBA who growls at “The Mailman” every time he is in town. Cayote has been inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2007.

Boomer and Browser (Indiana Pacers)

Boomer and Browser are the official mascots of the Indiana Pacers. They appear at Pacer’s home games and special events games of the NBA. Boomer was created during year 1991 NBA season. Boomer is a six-footer energetic cat that performs high flying dunks and dance moves. Browser, a 6′2”dog was introduced before the start of the 2001 NBA season and regularly entertains children during the games.

Rocky (Denver Nuggets)

Rocky is the official mascot of the Denver Nuggets. He was introduced in 1990 in

Denver. He stands 5′10” and weighs 154 lbs.

Rocky is one of the most recognizable mascots in the NBA. His acrobatic stance and innovative skits are always eagerly awaited by fans and players alike. Rocky is part of the community activities of the Denver Nuggets and makes regular appearances in schools and various Nuggets engagements.

Skyhawk (Atlanta Hawks)

Skyhalk is the official mascot of the Atlanta Halks NBA Basketball Team. He is an anthropomorphic halk wearing basketball shorts, a nylon body suit, mask and wrestling boots. With the aid of a trampoline, he performs acrobatic slam dunks to entertain fans and guests. Skyhalk is popularly known as the highest flying NBA Mascot.

Slamson the Lion (Sacramento Kings)

Slamson is the official mascot of the Sacramento Kings. He was discovered in 1998 while taking a nap in a park in Old Sacramento. He is popularly known as a hugging mascot. He averages 338 hugs per appearance, sometimes giving more than one hug to the same person. With all sorts of costumes and props, Slamson can be seen on game day at the Arco arena doing some antics and creative skits. Slamson has been entertaining internationally and locally for basketball fans and for charitable causes.

Bear (Utah Jazz)

The Utah Jazz Bear is the official mascot of the Utah NBA Basketball team. The Jazz Bear was introduced to the league in 1993. Since then the Jazz Bear Mascot has received over 50 awards for charity including the WC Willey community service award. His special skills include acrobatics and pyrotechnics. He is popularly known by the locals as “Fuzzy”. The Utah Jazz Bear mascot was inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2006.

Hip-Hop (Philadelphia76ers)

Hip-Hop is the official mascot of the Philadelphia NBA Basketball team. He has a side kick named little Hip Hop and a group of helpers name Hare Raisers. They are always present in the 76ers home games. They entertain 76ers fans during the half time of the games and during time outs by performing acrobatic slam dunks with the aid of trampoline and other theatrical props.

Grizz (Memphis Grizzlies)

Grizz is the official mascot of the Memphis Grizzlies NBA Basketball team. Grizz was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1995. He moved with the team to Memphis in 2001 and became instantly popular. Grizz is known for his dramatic dunks and his lovable antics.

In 2007, Eric McMahon (a.k.a.) Grizz was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and is currently on medical leave of absence.

Gorilla (Phoenix Suns)

Gorilla is the official mascot of the Phoenix Suns. It came into being in winter 1980 when a singing telegram courier named Henry Rojas from Eastern Union telegram service was sent to the arena in a Gorilla costume. He was spotted by security guards and he was asked to stay at game break to entertain guests. He would later come for a visit with his costume and eventually he was named as the Phoenix Suns mascot.

Gorilla is noted for his humor in entertaining guests and his fantastic dunks that are usually performed during the 4th quarter of the games. In 2005, Gorilla was inducted into the Mascots Hall of Fame.